Wednesday 1 June 2011

James Arbuthnot Conservative MP for North East Hampshire

Total repayment recommended: £13,470.33

Total repayments received since April 1 2009: £13,470.33

Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00

MPs' expenses: Senior Tory James Arbuthnot charged taxpayer for pool cleaning

James Arbuthnot MP claimed from the public finances for cleaning his swimming pool at a country residence.

James Arbuthnot: MPs' expenses
The claims by James Arbuthnot were among a series of payments made to maintain a home in Hampshire that he rented before buying a £2 million home without a mortgage two years ago.
Last night, the chairman of the defence select committee said that claiming for the swimming pool maintenance was an error of judgment and that he would return the money.
He was unable to calculate the sum he would repay the fees office. One handwritten invoice for a three-month period, for “grass, strim, pool, fuel” came to £776. Another bill for two months came to £594. The bill for the whole of the 2006-07 financial year for these services was £1,471.
In a letter to the fees office, Mr Arbuthnot acknowledged that his new house was unusually costly to run. He was “well aware” that he quickly spent the additional costs allowance, he wrote, but that was because “[his home] is an expensive house to run”. In June 2007, it took four hours to mow the “main lawn and swimming pool lawn” at a cost of £44.
Email exchanges between the MP and the fees office at this time illustrate the laxity of the fees office in enforcing the rules. Mr Arbuthnot rented a house in a village in Hampshire.
He later bought his new home in Stratfield Mortimer, also in Hampshire, in May 2007 for £2 million but did not move out of his rented accommodation “until at least the end of May, more likely the end of June”, according to one email sent in October 2007. This meant there was “a period in which I had two second homes”.
The MP therefore submitted claims for both properties on the grounds that “it could be analogous to staying at different hotels on different nights”.
“No problems with this at all,” a senior House of Commons official emailed back. “I have urged staff to be flexible in their interpretation of the rules in circumstance such as yours.”
During the same period from May to October 2007, Mr Arbuthnot submitted a separate claim of £2,433 “for the expense of our housekeeper”. It is not clear which property the housekeeper was based at.
He also claimed for various sums for furnishing the new house, including £728 for a new television and £100 for a sign at the new home. Servicing cost for his Aga oven cost £341, the records disclose.
In March last year, he claimed £2,749 for work on trees.
The house cost £1,157 to insure last year.
In total, Mr Arbuthnot has claimed £108,062 over the past five years — the maximum amount possible. When the fees office deducted some of his payments during the 2005 general election, Mr Arbuthnot queried their calculations, writing: “In practice, I will easily exceed the ACA limit of £20,000-odd, but I should be grateful to have this cleared up.”
At the rented property, Mr Arbuthnot submitted a claim for £800 for decorating and £2,340 for five softwood
windows.
He said this upkeep was part of his lease.
James Arbuthnot is the second son of a baronet, but is likely to inherit the title currently held by his older brother.
Like his party leader, David Cameron, he attended Eton.
Although Mr Arbuthnot claims his Hampshire home is his “second home”, according to the Conservative party website, he and his wife Emma “live in [Stratfield] Mortimer with several dogs, a couple of Alpaca and an elderly pony”.
Mr Arbuthnot said that the swimming pool maintenance costs would be returned to the fees office. “The claims were an error of judgment on my part.
I am sorry I made them and will repay them in full,” he said.
He added that the work on the trees was carried out because of an insurance issue when the trees became unsafe.

Expenses

Figures in brackets are ranks.Data from parliament.uk (source). Read 2004/05 – 2008/09 and 1st quarter 2009/10 receipts.

Type2008/09 (ranking out of 647)2007/08 (ranking out of 645)2006/07 (ranking out of 645)2005/062004/05 (ranking out of 659)2003/04 (ranking out of 658)2002/03 (ranking out of 657)2001/02 (ranking out of 657)
Staying away from main home£24,006 (joint 1st with 48 others) £23,083 (joint 1st with 142 others) £22,110 (joint 1st with 183 others) £21,634 £20,902 (joint 1st with 187 others) £20,318 (188th) £19,722 (joint 1st with 230 others) £15,809 (joint 210th with 3 others)
London costs£0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £1,101 (joint 110th with 1 other)
Office running costs£12,315 (526th) £17,170 (386th) £24,808 (99th) £19,935 £19,096 (215th) £18,799 (joint 13th with 178 others) £17,677 (425th) £9,062 (547th)
Staffing costs£92,471 (394th) £84,145 (437th) £83,291 (360th) £79,913 £72,298 (240th) £68,025 (227th) £53,140 (601st) £52,343 (116th)
Communications Allowance£9,057 (joint 303rd with 1 other) £12,792 (45th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Travel£3,817 (511th)1 £4,534 (493rd)2 £4,230 (504th)3 £3,854 £6,701 (473rd) £5,057 (519th) £5,220 (518th) £4,823 (479th)
Members' Staff Travel£14 (joint 415th with 1 other) £73 (joint 390th with 2 others) £51 (joint 410th with 1 other) £0 £0 £0 £18 (joint 461st with 1 other) £0
Members' Spouse Travel£492 (joint 199th with 1 other) £327 (joint 255th with 1 other) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Family Travel£244 (49th) £232 (joint 61st with 1 other) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Centrally Purchased Stationery£1,799 (joint 541st with 1 other) £568 (450th) £473 (541st) £599 £433 (542nd) £378 (570th) £672 (joint 481st with 1 other) £739 (434th)
Stationery: Associated Postage Costs£1,838 (403rd) £2,362 (359th) £2,145 £1,308 (528th) £694 (joint 606th with 2 others) N/A N/A
Centrally Provided Computer Equipment £1,430 (48th) £1,352 (27th) £292 £1,859 (joint 386th with 1 other) £1,567 (539th) £1,567 (512th) £1,567 (434th)
Other Costs£1,829 (68th) £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0
Total£146,043 (374th) £146,192 (333rd) £138,677 (307th) £128,372 £122,597 (348th) £114,838 (423rd) £98,016 (562nd) £85,444 (394th)
1 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £2,560 (312th). Rail £1,113 (445th). Misc £144 (147th).
2 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £2,958 (297th). Rail £1,156 (413th). Misc £165 (133rd). Other: Rail £255 (74th).
3 Car £2,709 (345th). Rail £499 (477th). Other £197 (48th). European £825 (52nd).

Monday 23 May 2011

David Amess Conservative MP for Southend West Also represented Basildon

Total repayment recommended: £1,100.06
Total repayments received since April 1 2009: £1,100.06
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00



David Amess



MORE than 90 per cent of voters approached by the Echo in MP David Amess’s constituency are urging him to come clean and explain his expenses claims.

On Wednesday, the Echo challenged Mr Amess on the campaign trail in the wake of revelations he claimed the maximum of £400 for food every month for the past four years.
Since the expenses story broke, the Echo has repeatedly tried to contact Mr Amess, but he has declined to talk to us about the issue.
Mr Amess’s claims for food are part of his second home allowance. For the past four years, he has claimed more than £20,000 a year under the allowance towards the running of his second home.
Yesterday the Echo carried out a poll on the streets of his Southend West constituency.
We asked whether Mr Amess should call a public meeting to tell his constituents why he spent the money and explain the rest of his taxpayer-funded allowances.
Ninety per cent of the 112 people we spoke to said he should.
Five per cent said no and five per cent were undecided.
There was anger on the streets about the revelations and the way Mr Amess and other MPs have conducted themselves.
The elder statesman of Southend politics, former Conservative MP Sir Teddy Taylor, was reluctant to comment on the issue affecting one of his former colleagues.
He said: “In the horrible situation facing MPs now, I feel the best thing is for everyone to be completely open and to not try and hide. I think it would be wrong to say anything further and it is up to the Southend West Conservative Association to look after its own affairs.”
MP avoids questions over expenses by running into hairdressers
MP DAVID Amess ran from the Echo to avoid questions after his expenses showed he claimed the maximum of £400 for food every month for the past four years.
The Tory MP sought refuge in a hairdressers’ as he tried to duck the issue.
He eventually made his escape when a car arrived at the salon in Westcliff and drove him away, with Mr Amess hiding his face behind a leaflet.
The Southend West MP’s extraordinary actions came after it emerged he claimed the maximum £19,000 on expenses for food over the past four years.
The cash is on top of his salary of £64,766.
Mr Amess has refused to answer or return phone calls about the expenses affair, so the Echo tracked him down while he was out canvassing in Westborough ward in Westcliff.
When approached by the Echo, Mr Amess, who had been talking to a constituent in the street, turned on his heel and crossed the road.
As he walked away and was being questioned, he said: “Thank you for the opportunity, but I don’t want to comment.”
Shielded by Southend Tory councillor Jason Luty and a female member of his Westminster office staff and another Conservative member, Mr Amess went into Regency hairdressers’, in Westborough Road, where the woman with the group slammed the door in our face.
He spent half an hour in the salon drinking tea, before a car pulled up and he jumped in to avoid talking to the Echo further.
Staff and a customer at the salon were more willing to talk to the Echo.
They said Mr Amess had explained to them we wanted to talk to him about expenses and he admitted claiming for a second home.
One customer, who did not want to be named, but lives in Milton ward, said: “He should explain himself. Running like that makes it looks worse.
“All the MPs should be exposed for what they are. They get a salary and that should be enough. They should live off of that, like the rest of us do. It’s such a scandal.”
Manager of the salon, Lisa Haggerty, said: “I know Mr Amess and he has helped me out in the past. He’s always very helpful and hard working.
“If the money is for taking people to lunch or tea for constituents when they visit his surgery, that’s fine. If you work for a big firm you get an expenses account and so should MPs.”
But Sylvia Fry, 78, of Glenwood Avenue, Westcliff, said: “I’m rapidly going off him.
“The whole aspect of expenses makes me very cross. It’s not fair. Why should we have to pay for food and not MPs? I understand they must do a certain amount of entertaining, but not that much.
“He should come forward and explain himself.
“Some have definitely abused the system. If they weren’t MPs they would be on trial for it.”
Another pensioner from Westcliff, who didn’t want to be named, added: “I don’t agree with any of it whatever party they are.
“I don’t think they should have expenses.
“They should use a hostel or hotel or commute to London like ordinary people do.
“I’ve always voted Conservative, but now I have my doubts. I just don’t know what to do for the best.”

Expenses

Figures in brackets are ranks.Data from parliament.uk (source). Read 2004/05 – 2008/09 and 1st quarter 2009/10 receipts.
Type2008/09 (ranking out of 647)2007/08 (ranking out of 645)2006/07 (ranking out of 645)2005/062004/05 (ranking out of 659)2003/04 (ranking out of 658)2002/03 (ranking out of 657)2001/02 (ranking out of 657)
Staying away from main home£19,968 (285th) £23,063 (167th) £22,088 (220th) £21,634 £20,902 (joint 1st with 187 others) £18,638 (joint 337th with 1 other) £19,421 (329th) £16,873 (joint 92nd with 2 others)
London costs£0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0
Office running costs£7,669 (615th) £19,777 (255th) £20,507 (278th) £19,980 £18,192 (341st) £18,626 (377th) £18,234 (joint 1st with 183 others) £19,444 (182nd)
Staffing costs£85,785 (510th) £79,624 (536th) £87,206 (180th) £83,916 £78,541 (56th) £74,985 (joint 8th with 27 others) £72,310 (joint 1st with 23 others) £47,231 (273rd)
Communications Allowance£11,776 (104th) £2,820 (536th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Travel£6,633 (350th)1 £7,483 (323rd)2 £4,502 (493rd)3 £6,042 £6,215 (491st) £7,697 (410th) £6,332 (471st) £5,131 (460th)
Members' Staff Travel£129 (323rd) £235 (joint 301st with 1 other) £276 (joint 290th with 1 other) £196 £92 (425th) £149 (389th) £46 (448th) £0
Members' Spouse Travel£0 £61 (339th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Family Travel£0 £15 (joint 115th with 1 other) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Centrally Purchased Stationery£5,332 (160th) £782 (323rd) £733 (joint 401st with 1 other) £1,102 £953 (306th) £748 (joint 378th with 1 other) £1,215 (joint 245th with 1 other) £1,260 (239th)
Stationery: Associated Postage Costs£2,595 (281st) £1,347 (529th) £4,559 £3,501 (217th) £2,512 (327th) N/A N/A
Centrally Provided Computer Equipment £1,293 (198th) £1,122 (217th) £941 £1,994 (80th) £1,994 (74th) £1,994 (73rd) £1,994 (72nd)
Other Costs£0 £0 £0 £6,968 £8,209 (24th) £0 £0 £0
Total£137,292 (485th) £137,748 (437th) £137,781 (323rd) £145,338 £138,599 (75th) £125,349 (198th) £119,552 (177th) £91,933 (234th)
1 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £3,972 (191st). Rail £870 (476th). Misc £665 (59th). Other: European £1,126 (45th).
2 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £4,589 (152nd). Rail £926 (448th). Misc £263 (105th). Other: European £1,705 (19th).
3 Car £4,019 (237th). Rail £483 (480th).

Sunday 22 May 2011

Graham Allen Labour MP for Nottingham North

Graham Allen's expenses
CITY MP Graham Allen claimed for almost £20,000 worth of food on his parliamentary allowances over four years – including during months when the House of Commons was not sitting.
On seven occasions the member for Nottingham North claimed for more than the maximum allowed.
MPs are permitted to claim some £400 every four weeks for food and between April 2004 and March 2008 Mr Allen claimed the full amount for every month.
It meant the total he claimed was £19,200 making him one of the highest claimers for food.
He said: "It works out to be about £25 a day. I think people will think that is acceptable when you take into account London prices."
Restaurants at Westminster are subsidised by the taxpayer – a cooked breakfast can be bought for about £2 and lunch for less than £5.
In December 2007 and in January 2008 Mr Allen tried to claim £105 more than the £400 monthly limit and £60 more in each the following two months.
In April, May and June 2006 the MP tried to claim £8 over the allowed limit.
He said: "I simply tallied up all of my receipts for food in those months. On occasions when it was over £400 the fees office amended the total and it meant the amount paid out didn't cover my expenditure. It's a simple as that."
In total on his second home allowance Mr Allen claimed £22,945 last year – £138 short of the maximum allowed.
Across all of his expenses – which include the cost of running an office, travel and communications – the MP was the city's highest claimer with £171,198.
Mr Allen said: "There have been some very bad things that have gone on, but many of the MPs' problems are down to the fact that they didn't know the rules and that they did not get good advice.
"The publication of the receipts is to be welcomed, as are changes in the system."

Total repayment recommended: £3,341.74
Total repayments received since April 1 2009: £4,679.72
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00


Expenses

Figures in brackets are ranks.Data from parliament.uk (source). Read 2004/05 – 2008/09 and 1st quarter 2009/10 receipts.
Type2008/09 (ranking out of 647)2007/08 (ranking out of 645)2006/07 (ranking out of 645)2005/062004/05 (ranking out of 659)2003/04 (ranking out of 658)2002/03 (ranking out of 657)2001/02 (ranking out of 657)
Staying away from main home£23,935 (73rd) £22,945 (210th) £22,110 (joint 1st with 183 others) £21,634 £20,896 (joint 209th with 1 other) £20,332 (joint 153rd with 5 others) £19,722 (joint 1st with 230 others) £17,009 (83rd)
London costs£0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £17 (joint 121st with 8 others)
Office running costs£25,753 (43rd) £19,608 (263rd) £29,140 (joint 12th with 6 others) £28,400 £19,325 (joint 11th with 77 others) £18,799 (joint 13th with 178 others) £18,234 (joint 1st with 183 others) £20,159 (162nd)
Staffing costs£95,486 (319th) £85,944 (384th) £75,226 (556th) £62,673 £68,765 (420th) £71,682 (134th) £65,201 (293rd) £35,942 (583rd)
Communications Allowance£10,176 (joint 220th with 1 other) £16,291 (14th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Travel£11,590 (148th)1 £14,771 (81st)2 £11,196 (160th)3 £13,762 £13,550 (196th) £17,337 (87th) £18,871 (65th) £13,007 (106th)
Members' Staff Travel£1,366 (51st) £1,004 (102nd) £315 (joint 270th with 3 others) £1,067 £1,623 (107th) £621 (234th) £0 £0
Members' Spouse Travel£2,622 (28th) £1,417 (95th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Family Travel£1,326 (11th) £1,019 (20th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Centrally Purchased Stationery£6,942 (46th) £1,446 (joint 104th with 1 other) £2,111 (89th) £2,187 £5,373 (21st) £2,412 (41st) £3,318 (19th) £1,543 (161st)
Stationery: Associated Postage Costs£5,462 (21st) £7,501 (68th) £9,102 £21,517 (9th) £9,969 (26th) N/A N/A
Centrally Provided Computer Equipment £1,291 (joint 201st with 1 other) £1,142 (joint 175th with 17 others) £180 £1,563 (555th) £1,563 (541st) £1,563 (514th) £1,563 (435th)
Other Costs£4,292 (47th) £0 £0 £0 £908 (86th) £0 £0 £1,500 (joint 32nd with 4 others)
Total£183,487 (8th) £171,198 (13th) £148,741 (106th) £139,005 £153,520 (15th) £142,715 (22nd) £126,909 (52nd) £90,740 (274th)
1 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £2,655 (301st). Rail £7,178 (105th). Air £148 (152nd). Misc £896 (43rd). Other: Mileage £52 (71st). European £661 (84th).
2 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £3,981 (220th). Rail £7,052 (112th). Misc £1,440 (16th). Other: European £2,298 (10th).
3 Car £4,038 (235th). Rail £6,499 (114th). European £659 (75th).

Saturday 21 May 2011

Danny Alexander Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Chief Secretary, HM Treasury (since 29 May 2010)


Total repayment recommended: £290.82
Total repayments received since April 1 2009: £512.92
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00

Capital gains tax controversy

Two days after being appointed to his new position, the Daily Telegraph newspaper published front-page allegations that Alexander had exploited a legal loophole to avoid the payment of capital gains tax on a property he had sold in 2007 alleging that he had profited from a "morally dubious" loophole to avoid paying capital gains tax. Just a few days earlier, the same newspaper had caused the resignation of Alexander's predecessor David Laws after finding irregularities in his expenses claims. The paper suggested that "the fact that Mr Alexander has become the second Lib Dem to face questions about his finances within three days has focused attention on whether the party leadership has properly audited the financial activities of its senior figures".
Alexander had bought the property in question, a London flat, in 1999 and, after being elected to parliament for a Scottish constituency in 2005, designated the property as his "second home" whilst claiming that his first home was now in his constituency, the property was then sold in 2007 for a profit on which he paid no capital gains tax. As the property was the only one he owned however, up until 2006, HM Revenue and Customs rules meant that capital gains tax was not payable as should someone find a buyer for their home within three years the property qualifies for relief from [capital gains tax] as long as the property has been the only or main home at some point. Speaking at the time Alexander said "I have always listed London as my second home on the basis set out in the parliamentary rules as I spent more time in Scotland than I did in London." The Daily Telegraph itself claimed that "there is no suggestion that Mr Alexander has actually broken any tax laws".

Expenses

Figures in brackets are ranks.Data from parliament.uk (source). Read 2004/05 – 2008/09 and 1st quarter 2009/10 receipts.
Type2008/09 (ranking out of 647)2007/08 (ranking out of 645)2006/07 (ranking out of 645)2005/062004/052003/042002/032001/02
Staying away from main home£21,980 (201st) £23,083 (joint 1st with 142 others) £17,723 (453rd) £16,425
London costs£0 £0 £0 £0
Office running costs£22,878 (90th) £20,971 (179th) £34,965 (1st) £28,057
Staffing costs£89,951 (450th) £81,712 (503rd) £75,229 (555th) £60,412
Communications Allowance£15,684 (22nd) £11,798 (54th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Travel£23,356 (10th)1 £21,594 (13th)2 £24,499 (5th)3 £21,428
Members' Staff Travel£1,137 (67th) £1,058 (96th) £1,201 (102nd) £1,964
Members' Spouse Travel£7,316 (1st) £3,669 (19th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Family Travel£1,141 (16th) £93 (joint 87th with 1 other) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Centrally Purchased Stationery£4,183 (247th) £950 (243rd) £505 (530th) £1,048
Stationery: Associated Postage Costs£2,548 (288th) £2,101 (400th) £2,478 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Centrally Provided Computer Equipment £1,002 (576th) £930 (joint 523rd with 22 others) £930
Other Costs£0 £0 £0 £0
Total£187,625 (4th) £168,478 (22nd) £157,153 (34th) £132,742
1 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £3,573 (216th). Rail £3,818 (245th). Air £14,335 (14th). Misc £1,630 (12th).
2 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £3,322 (269th). Rail £2,180 (342nd). Air £14,581 (12th). Misc £988 (33rd). Other: Rail £523 (43rd).
3 Car £5,407 (119th). 3rd party £5 (62nd). Rail £1,841 (348th). Air £16,516 (7th). European £730 (63rd).

NICK AINGER, LABOUR MP FOR CARMARTHEN WEST & SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE

Claim: The former Wales Office minister's website shows a number of expenses claimed for his London flat.
Nick Ainger
They show more than £3,000 for furniture, including £1,434 for a sofa bed. Nick Ainger has also claimed for mortgage interest, council tax and utilities.
Response: Mr Ainger says he has been allowed £3,075 for furniture, £2,000 to replace "a 30-year-old leaking bathroom suite" and £2,216 for the replacement of three corroded metal window frames. He says he's been "in the lowest quarter of MPs for claims in each of the four years."


Expenses

Figures in brackets are ranks.Data from parliament.uk (source). Read 2004/05 – 2008/09 and 1st quarter 2009/10 receipts.

Type2008/09 (ranking out of 647)2007/08 (ranking out of 645)2006/07 (ranking out of 645)2005/062004/05 (ranking out of 659)2003/04 (ranking out of 658)2002/03 (ranking out of 657)2001/02 (ranking out of 657)
Staying away from main home£11,139 (490th) £15,385 (489th) £13,460 (524th) £13,384 £11,496 (546th) £10,651 (554th) £12,800 (566th) £15,923 (191st)
London costs£0 £0 £0 £0 £1,618 (joint 1st with 118 others) £1,574 (joint 1st with 101 others) £1,527 (joint 1st with 101 others) £1,130 (joint 83rd with 26 others)
Office running costs£14,806 (435th) £11,863 (548th) £12,163 (598th) £14,230 £12,757 (560th) £11,603 (622nd) £14,639 (560th) £20,545 (150th)
Staffing costs£93,654 (371st) £98,205 (33rd) £95,551 (20th) £85,974 £68,376 (440th) £68,023 (joint 228th with 71 others) £64,527 (326th) £42,523 (457th)
Communications Allowance£7,154 (395th) £10,597 (92nd) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Travel£9,031 (245th)1 £6,912 (356th)2 £3,387 (538th)3 £2,823 £12,113 (267th) £11,757 (258th) £11,598 (260th) £9,513 (240th)
Members' Staff Travel£34 (joint 397th with 2 others) £52 (408th) £266 (joint 297th with 1 other) £193 £226 (joint 354th with 1 other) £302 (327th) £147 (400th) £0
Members' Spouse Travel£0 £0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Family Travel£0 £0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Centrally Purchased Stationery£5,074 (179th) £589 (439th) £822 (356th) £546 £746 (384th) £1,161 (198th) £1,277 (222nd) £906 (joint 370th with 1 other)
Stationery: Associated Postage Costs£1,760 (joint 422nd with 1 other) £2,978 (290th) £1,080 £1,658 (joint 466th with 2 others) £3,417 (213th) N/A N/A
Centrally Provided Computer Equipment £1,167 (joint 384th with 1 other) £1,050 (joint 347th with 1 other) £0 £1,888 (joint 320th with 6 others) £1,888 (joint 315th with 5 others) £1,888 (joint 309th with 5 others) £1,888 (joint 291st with 5 others)
Other Costs£0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0
Total£140,892 (443rd) £146,530 (329th) £129,677 (455th) £118,230 £110,878 (538th) £110,376 (505th) £108,403 (431st) £92,428 (227th)
1 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £4,371 (143rd). Rail £4,157 (229th). Misc £465 (81st). Other: Mileage £38 (76th).
2 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £5,413 (77th). Rail £1,245 (406th). Misc £254 (108th).
3 Car £3,387 (292nd).

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Bob Ainsworth Labour MP for Coventry North East

File:Bob Ainsworth cropped.jpg 

In the 2009 Parliamentary expenses scandal, in which a number of MPs were criticised for their expense claims, it was revealed that, in 2007-08, Ainsworth had claimed the maximum permissible amount of £23,083 for second-home allowances, making him the joint highest claimant that year with 142 other MPs.

For 2008-09, he claimed £20,304, 269th out of 647 MPs.

Expenses


Type2008/09 (ranking out of 647)2007/08 (ranking out of 645)2006/07 (ranking out of 645)2005/062004/05 (ranking out of 659)2003/04 (ranking out of 658)2002/03 (ranking out of 657)2001/02 (ranking out of 657)
Staying away from main home£20,304 (269th) £23,083 (joint 1st with 142 others) £18,878 (427th) £18,911 £19,275 (348th) £17,519 (393rd) £19,722 (joint 1st with 230 others) £16,232 (145th)
London costs£0 £0 £0 £0 £1,618 (joint 1st with 118 others) £1,574 (joint 1st with 101 others) £1,527 (joint 1st with 101 others) £1,227 (joint 1st with 81 others)
Office running costs£21,180 (164th) £19,724 (257th) £20,807 (253rd) £28,025 £18,578 (304th) £17,972 (joint 465th with 1 other) £18,117 (330th) £14,913 (350th)
Staffing costs£86,639 (492nd) £79,747 (534th) £78,508 (492nd) £75,062 £71,082 (285th) £65,954 (joint 422nd with 1 other) £64,551 (325th) £46,289 (303rd)
Communications Allowance£10,379 (joint 181st with 1 other) £5,547 (435th) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Travel£4,892 (450th)1 £2,887 (552nd)2 £6,145 (393rd)3 £5,995 £9,152 (366th) £11,200 (282nd) £11,423 (265th) £10,304 (201st)
Members' Staff Travel£0 £352 (255th) £0 £182 £247 (341st) £438 (283rd) £1,035 (165th) £468 (253rd)
Members' Spouse Travel£634 (176th) £459 (221st) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Members' Family Travel£0 £0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Centrally Purchased Stationery£2,301 (473rd) £426 (joint 532nd with 1 other) £755 (389th) £599 £667 (423rd) £737 (joint 387th with 2 others) £712 (joint 466th with 1 other) £687 (460th)
Stationery: Associated Postage Costs£978 (570th) £2,463 (344th) £1,645 £1,437 (502nd) £2,686 (310th) N/A N/A
Centrally Provided Computer Equipment £1,312 (166th) £1,008 (joint 410th with 5 others) £808 £1,818 (439th) £1,818 (432nd) £1,818 (413th) £1,132 (532nd)
Other Costs£0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0
Total£146,329 (372nd) £134,515 (479th) £128,564 (475th) £131,227 £123,874 (309th) £119,898 (317th) £118,905 (196th) £91,252 (255th)
1 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £1,422 (448th). Rail £3,470 (261st).
2 Regular journeys between home/constituency/Westminster: Mileage £605 (549th). Rail £2,282 (333rd).
3 Car £3,562 (273rd). Rail £2,583 (287th).